Whispers of Shikiban:The king walks among us-Chapter 75 --

Zai Ten Enzo was gone. His body turned into flames, screaming as they rose, then disappeared—devoured by Reika's blade like it was starved. The weapon glowed purple. A faint hum echoed, like it had just tasted something divine.

Reika didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Didn't care.

"Trash," she muttered. "That's what happens when you threaten me."

She stood there, alone, in the ruins of what used to be a battlefield. Her clothes torn, hair scorched at the edges, blood—hers and others—drying on her skin. Her breathing was steady, but her eyes were cold.

> "This world's garbage," she said out loud. "Do the right thing? They hate you. Do the wrong thing? Still hate you. So what's the point?"

A voice came from behind, casual and familiar.

"Damn, you lived? Thought I'd have to clean up your corpse."

Reika turned her head.

Souta Arakawa stood leaning against the wall, katana on his shoulder, that usual smug smirk plastered on his face like it was permanent.

Her eyes narrowed. "You think I'd die on a job like this?"

"I think you should stop looking like a ghost every time you win," he said. "You're allowed to smile, you know."

"Shut up."

"Oof. There's the warmth I missed."

She brushed past him, annoyed. "Your jokes are trash. Where's the rest?"

"Outside. Waiting. Being dumb."

---

Outside the building.

Yeaga was leaning against the van, drinking from a bottle of tea like he just woke from a nap. Daigo Yamamoto sat beside him, eating teriyaki sticks like it was a festival. Yeji and Ishiga stood on the side, quietly watching the skies. Reika walked out, still cleaning the blood from her blade.

"Thank god, you're alive," Daigo said, genuinely relieved.

Reika looked at him sideways. "Do I look like someone who dies that easily?" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Daigo raised his hands. "My bad, my bad."

Yeji grinned. "Yo, Reika. Awake that Purple Dragon again, huh? Might as well introduce you to the world's most handsome Kageshiki—Yeaga Kat Surei."

Yeaga grinned at her.

Reika gave him a deadpan glare. "You think you're some toy on display?"

Yeaga casually patted her head. "Aw, you're melting again. That cold vibe can't survive my charm."

She slapped his hand off. "Touch me again and you lose that hand."

"Hu-lu-lu-lu," Yeaga chuckled, stepping back. "Spicy."

Daigo laughed. "They treat her like she's our little sister or something."

"Yeah," Ishiga said. "But Yeaga flirts with her like he flirts with everyone—he winked at a Shikiban yesterday."

Yeji rolled his eyes. "At least he didn't flirt with the hologram instructor this time."

Souta finally stepped out behind Reika. "Alright, enough fun. We're heading back to Tenshiko Academy."

Reika shook her head. "I'm not going back yet."

Souta raised a brow. "You can't leave without permission. You know the rule."

"I have an emergency."

"Still need clearance."

She sighed, clearly irritated, then flicked open her wrist screen. A holographic terminal appeared in front of her, blue light scanning her face.

> ACCESS LEVEL: RESTRICTED RANK: X-KAGESHIKI CODE NAME: Kagetsu Reika RANK No.: 001

> REQUEST TYPE: Mission Permission SUBJECT: Request to Return to Personal Quarters Are you on active mission? [ NO ]

> Request Confirmation: Leave base and return home.

> Processing... ACCESS GRANTED PERMISSION CODE: XR-7781-GO TIME LIMIT: 48 HOURS LOCATION TRACKER: ACTIVE

Reika blinked.

"...Wait. Why is my rank showing 'X'?"

Yeji leaned over. "It depends on how much raw energy you consumed. You just ate a whole Enzo-class."

"Damn," Daigo said. "You ranked up. Big time."

Reika hit "YES." The screen vanished.

"Alright. I'm out."

"I'll come with you," Souta said.

"No need."

"You sure? Your house isn't exactly—"

"Just stay. I'll deal with it."

He stopped. Watched her walk away.

"Why's she always like that?" Yeaga muttered. "I've never even seen her smile."

Souta looked away. "No idea. But the car's coming for you guys. I've got work."

---

Reika's Home – 2:12 PM

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Her mom stood by the window, phone in hand, yelling. "If she hadn't gone out that night, none of this would've happened!"

Her dad shouted from the hallway. "If she gets herself killed, we'll just say she ran away and sell her stuff."

The doorbell rang.

Her mother groaned. "Who the hell is here at this hour?"

Her father opened the door—and froze.

Reika stood there. Dirty. Bloodied. Alive.

"You brat!" he growled, grabbing her hair and dragging her inside. "You think you're some kind of warrior now? Huh?! How many people you killed, freak?"

He slammed her into the floor.

Reika didn't scream. Didn't resist. Just stared.

Her mother walked over. "You disobedient little monster. If I could sell you, I would."

Reika sat up. Her bangs covered her eyes.

"Say something, you freak," her father barked.

"You done?" Reika asked coldly.

"What?"

She stood. Her blade hummed on her back. A dark aura poured off her—violent, suffocating.

"Purple Dragon Technique: Abyss Crown Requiem – Level 4."

Her pupils shifted, glowing violet. The entire room darkened.

"Wait—Reika—"

She smiled.

That rare, terrifying smile.

"You beat me for 15 years. Starved me. Told me I was a mistake."

She stepped forward. Her aura cracking the floor beneath her feet.

"But guess what?"

Her voice was steel.

> "You raised a monster. Now deal with it."

Her mother backed away. Her father tried to grab a bat.

Too slow.

Reika drew her blade.

The air split.

The house shook.

Then—silence.

---

Outside, a car waited at the corner.

Souta leaned against the hood, arms crossed.

He glanced toward the house.

A silent explosion of purple light erupted from inside, just for a second.

Then calm again.

Souta smiled to himself.

> "She's finally breaking her chains."

He pulled out his phone.

"Update Reika's file. Emotional catalyst achieved. Rank locked as XI-Class. She's no longer just a candidate—she's the real thing."

He slid the phone back into his coat and whispered:

> "Welcome to the top, Kagetsu Reika."